Don't Go Broke this Xmas - Page 2

dramaqueen · 11-07-2005, 09:21 AM

Looks like this year a credit card is the only way I will be able to get hubby what he really wants (he has expensive taste) We normally shop the black friday sales to get a majority of the shopping done. Ebay has also been a great resource if I have a specific gift in mind for someone- last year we bought a new chandelier for the dining room my MIL had recently remodled and spent $25 for a beautiful one.

Since we just bought a house, we are buying gift cards for everyone this year. Money is tight for everyone and this will allow us to control what we spend on everyone- everyone gets the same amount. We don't usually shop for friends, although this year I may find something yummy to bake as a gift for friends.

The extended family (usually around 40 people get together for Christmas on my husband's side) does a gift drawing at Thanksgiving and exchanges gifts worth $10-$20. Its always fun to do this. Its a great way to share the holiday without making everyone broke.

My credit card tip- pay at least double the minimum payment every month. I have one store credit card and one platinum card with a balance of 1000 dollars- its enough for emergencies and not too much that when its maxed out its too much to handle. I don't want anything more than that right now. That's all we have and will ever have for credit cards, enough to help improve our credit scores, but not too much to get in trouble.

*NeverNeverland* · 11-07-2005, 09:44 AM

I'm really hurtin' moneywise this year but I still want to get my friends gifts. Thankfuly (

) we're all kinda poor so they'll understand when I tell them I can only afford some non-personal gift like a CD or DVD or gift card. My credit card is maxed out, so I don't use it, so yay for no extra Jan. debt but boo 'cuzI only get paid so much!
Anyway, yeah. Love's better than stuff.

All Aglow · 11-07-2005, 09:49 AM

We pay for everything with cash, too. We have a Visa Checkcard for those instances when we might need a credit card to purchase something (like tickets online, hotels, etc.) more expensive or that requires a credit card. But, since it's a checkcard, it's the same as using cash because we can't spend it unless it's in the bank account. This helps!

We do things differently each year. Some years, we are done with all of the shopping early. I have two daughters with birthday's in November, so that's a bit more extra cash we're spending in the same months. One year we were done with birthday shopping and Christmas shopping in October. What a great year that was... we should do it every year but we don't manage to.

This year, we are scouring the internet, writing down the girls requests and making a list for each of them. We will figure out what we are getting from each list and drop the rest. Then we'll figure out who is giving them which items (you know, which are from us and which from the bearded man.) Once that is done, we'll figure out where to get each item. If something we want already is going to be a great deal on Black Friday, I will get up early and hit the sales to get it. The rest, we will buy here and there as time allows. The good thing is that while we don't have many ideas yet, we have already set aside the bulk of the cash. This means that I can splurge some and get a few new Christmas decorations and I'll have time and money to do more holiday baking and crafts with the kids - YAY!

stinkerbell · 11-07-2005, 10:03 AM

We've never put Christmas purchases on credit cards! Wouldn't even think of doing that. If I don't have it, I don't spend it basically.

We generally spread out our shopping for the kids. I used to have the bulk of it done by October, but this year and last, it's been a much lower priority, as we've instead planned vacations in December. I just don't have as much to buy, so I don't buy the spendy toys for the kids that I used to. And I don't feel the need to buy things just so the pile under the tree is huge. It gets huge enough as it is, without trying.

We buy for our three kids, my mom and step-dad, my in-laws, my dad and step-mom, my brother-in-law and his wife and my sister and her husband. That's it, but daaaang it gets expensive!! Last year we asked everyone to keep it simple and just buy the kids Disney Dollars for our surprise Disneyland trip....but everyone did that AND gave them gifts too.

This year, we did the Amazon list, hoping people will ONLY shop from it....I hate extra clutter and I can't stand disposable toys!! Don't buy "filler" things, people!! That's where you go broke!

So, no, we don't go broke with our Christmas shopping....it just feels like it.

Hakuna Makarla · 11-07-2005, 10:08 AM

I think next year we will all go to disneyland for christmas!! I think I will have a few gifts at home for when we come back but I think we all need a disney fix. All three kids, me and 1 week of fun. I am going to start a christmas fund this year and have money taken out of my checks. this way I will have the trip money and not have to go and try to save it all

baileykat · 11-07-2005, 03:15 PM

We're only buying for the kids, my in-laws (I have two sets though! Aren't I lucky?) and that's it!

My Mom and Dad and Sister and I all decided we would rather save the money on presents and take a trip together around Spring Break! We're thinking Florida, Gulf Coast side, little house on the beach. (hurricanes pending...)

In 2001 we did this as well..but we went to Dland! It was the most fun! The best trip ever!!

Hubby and I are not gifting each other this year! I just got a $2000 washer/dryer set and a $1000 frig! OH..and the $700 gas stove, $300 microwave. SO I guess that's enough! We also need to purchase furniture for the basement/TV/Family room...so I guess we'll "wrap" that up as Christmas for each other!

I have however made a small list of things the "kids" can get me! Come on...I'm not totally tanking on this whole gift thing!!!

I'm getting Kat a trampoline for her birthday! I really wanted it to be from the Big Man in Red..but I thought how sad it would be for my sweet hubby to be putting together a trampoline on Christmas Eve at midnight in the cold Kansas winter! So she'll get it a week early for her bday!

Gemini Cricket · 11-07-2005, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hakuna makarla

I think next year we will all go to disneyland for christmas!!

That's the best idea yet!

mkt · 11-07-2005, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

You don't have to cry in January when the credit card bills roll in for your Xmas purchases.

I'm still crying... and it's November.

At least everyone got good gifts last year, compared to the lumps of coal they're getting this year.

On the plus side, I managed to slash that debt by 75%, so I should have the whole amount paid off by easter

*dsnylndmom* · 11-07-2005, 03:38 PM

We don't use credit cards for Christmas either. We do the boys first, then my nephew and little brother(he's 14)and spread out from there. I try and set a decent limit and don't buy for friends, instead I give cookies & treats! We have my IL's, mom & stepdad, dad & stepmom, brother & wife, sister and then my 3 grandparents & my aunt. I try to get something little for my favorite cousin too.

haites · 11-07-2005, 03:38 PM

I have a certain luxury since I'm fresh out of school and not really expected to buy extravagent gifts. That and I have few relatives

Mouse princess · 11-07-2005, 03:40 PM

Forget about not going broke this Christmas, I'm already broke!

Gemini Cricket · 11-07-2005, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mouse princess

Forget about not going broke this Christmas, I'm already broke!

Join the club!

mamabot · 11-07-2005, 03:54 PM

We are paring down our list this year, as Nathan's year-end bonus will be considerably less due to a change in policy at his work. The kids already have sooo much stuff. We still need to buy for my parents (times 4), Nathan's parents (X 3), my siblings (X4 plus BIL), Nathan's brother, a niece, two nephews, two of Nathan's friends, teachers, a present for my boss, plus gift exchange stuff for both my work (X 2) and Nathan's work.

We are dropping out of the gift exchange with my dad's side of the family because money is just too tight to add another $150-200 to out budget. If I can cut corners this year I will. Although the biggest pitfall will be sticking to what we have decided to get for the kids. Plus, Nathan always seems to sneak in a few extra requests for the kids each year.

Tinkerbelle · 11-07-2005, 03:54 PM

well I'm trying to dig out right now...so Christmas will be different.

this year I am cutting down the number of gifts and the $ per gift...no choice, we did too many big things this year. we moved, bought a car, and went to DL...there's nothing left...(oh yeah income took a hit too...ugh, self employed hurts sometimes)

so this year the kids are getting things from Santa and us, we will exchange with my parents and brother, so it's not too many people...
My friends and I cut eachother this year...just way to expensive.

but I am definatly going quality over quantity...I even asked santa to just get the kids each one bigger thing that they will love rather than a bunch of stuff, and they will be getting something they both really want to share. (yeah we all know Santa will cave a bit at the end, but I'm trying anyway) Hubby and I probably not doing much for each other this time...oh well cest la vie, Oh I have an idea......

I'm going to have each of us plan a date night (a rare thing when you have kids) to happen within the next 2 months....very budget friendly....oh I like that! and we get 4 nights out by the end of Feb.

(hey when your broke you get creative.) I wonder if he'll like that idea?

for my parents and brother it's looking like DVD's, books, or music...luckily they all like that. although I'm still not sure about mom.

and for the teachers (there are 7 this year!!!! at least!)

I am going tto make 'Jar" gifts...I found a recipie for a tuscan bean soup (I think) that you assemble in a jar, put together a homemade seasoning packet and finish off all pretty.... Maybe package them in a pretty big soup mug or something....

I think that's it....

hopefully I can pay off some debt rather than add to it this year.

oh and for the record, I am a cash holiday shopper as well...I learned my lesson one year, luckily it was on a very low limit card, but so easy to say "charge it" ouch!!! all my debt now is cost of living, no luxury

Modern Folly · 11-07-2005, 09:42 PM

Debit cards > Credit cards IMO. :]

11-07-2005, 09:21 AM	#16
dramaqueen is FIERCE! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: somewhere Major Posts: 9,605 Blog Entries: 4	Re: Don't Go Broke this Xmas Looks like this year a credit card is the only way I will be able to get hubby what he really wants (he has expensive taste) We normally shop the black friday sales to get a majority of the shopping done. Ebay has also been a great resource if I have a specific gift in mind for someone- last year we bought a new chandelier for the dining room my MIL had recently remodled and spent $25 for a beautiful one. Since we just bought a house, we are buying gift cards for everyone this year. Money is tight for everyone and this will allow us to control what we spend on everyone- everyone gets the same amount. We don't usually shop for friends, although this year I may find something yummy to bake as a gift for friends. The extended family (usually around 40 people get together for Christmas on my husband's side) does a gift drawing at Thanksgiving and exchanges gifts worth $10-$20. Its always fun to do this. Its a great way to share the holiday without making everyone broke. My credit card tip- pay at least double the minimum payment every month. I have one store credit card and one platinum card with a balance of 1000 dollars- its enough for emergencies and not too much that when its maxed out its too much to handle. I don't want anything more than that right now. That's all we have and will ever have for credit cards, enough to help improve our credit scores, but not too much to get in trouble. __________________ Check out the News Forum for the latest news with a Micechat twist! Do you MiceChat? Help support the site you love: -Visit the MiceChat store Make a donation with one of the boxes at the bottom of the page -Sign up for MiceChat Gold! DMCA for life, yo. MCDA- Bringin' sexyback, one pound at a time. www.mobilemagicentertainment.blogspot.com

11-07-2005, 09:44 AM	#17
NeverNeverland Gobble Gobble! MiceChat Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: talkin' turkey Posts: 23,177 Blog Entries: 4	Re: Don't Go Broke this Xmas I'm really hurtin' moneywise this year but I still want to get my friends gifts. Thankfuly ( ) we're all kinda poor so they'll understand when I tell them I can only afford some non-personal gift like a CD or DVD or gift card. My credit card is maxed out, so I don't use it, so yay for no extra Jan. debt but boo 'cuzI only get paid so much! Anyway, yeah. Love's better than stuff. __________________ Almost Christmas!!

11-07-2005, 09:49 AM	#18
All Aglow Happy 4th birthday, DMCA! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Lost Bar - It's where we come together in true DMCA style. Posts: 17,911 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Don't Go Broke this Xmas We pay for everything with cash, too. We have a Visa Checkcard for those instances when we might need a credit card to purchase something (like tickets online, hotels, etc.) more expensive or that requires a credit card. But, since it's a checkcard, it's the same as using cash because we can't spend it unless it's in the bank account. This helps! We do things differently each year. Some years, we are done with all of the shopping early. I have two daughters with birthday's in November, so that's a bit more extra cash we're spending in the same months. One year we were done with birthday shopping and Christmas shopping in October. What a great year that was... we should do it every year but we don't manage to. This year, we are scouring the internet, writing down the girls requests and making a list for each of them. We will figure out what we are getting from each list and drop the rest. Then we'll figure out who is giving them which items (you know, which are from us and which from the bearded man.) Once that is done, we'll figure out where to get each item. If something we want already is going to be a great deal on Black Friday, I will get up early and hit the sales to get it. The rest, we will buy here and there as time allows. The good thing is that while we don't have many ideas yet, we have already set aside the bulk of the cash. This means that I can splurge some and get a few new Christmas decorations and I'll have time and money to do more holiday baking and crafts with the kids - YAY! __________________ Money can't buy happiness, but it does bring a more pleasant form of misery. ~^~ Handle every stressful situation like a dog - if you can't eat it or hump it, pee on it and walk away. ~^~ Nobody is completely worthless, they can at least serve as a bad example. ~^~ If you think you are leading but no one is following, you are simply going for a walk.

11-07-2005, 10:03 AM	#19
stinkerbell Man O Lantern Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: It's fall, ya'll! Posts: 17,214	Re: Don't Go Broke this Xmas We've never put Christmas purchases on credit cards! Wouldn't even think of doing that. If I don't have it, I don't spend it basically. We generally spread out our shopping for the kids. I used to have the bulk of it done by October, but this year and last, it's been a much lower priority, as we've instead planned vacations in December. I just don't have as much to buy, so I don't buy the spendy toys for the kids that I used to. And I don't feel the need to buy things just so the pile under the tree is huge. It gets huge enough as it is, without trying. We buy for our three kids, my mom and step-dad, my in-laws, my dad and step-mom, my brother-in-law and his wife and my sister and her husband. That's it, but daaaang it gets expensive!! Last year we asked everyone to keep it simple and just buy the kids Disney Dollars for our surprise Disneyland trip....but everyone did that AND gave them gifts too. This year, we did the Amazon list, hoping people will ONLY shop from it....I hate extra clutter and I can't stand disposable toys!! Don't buy "filler" things, people!! That's where you go broke! So, no, we don't go broke with our Christmas shopping....it just feels like it.

11-07-2005, 10:08 AM	#20
Hakuna Makarla Banned User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: well thats none of your buisness Posts: 41,151	Re: Don't Go Broke this Xmas I think next year we will all go to disneyland for christmas!! I think I will have a few gifts at home for when we come back but I think we all need a disney fix. All three kids, me and 1 week of fun. I am going to start a christmas fund this year and have money taken out of my checks. this way I will have the trip money and not have to go and try to save it all

11-07-2005, 03:15 PM	#21
baileykat Pucker Up, Sweetie! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Table 4..where magic comes alive! Posts: 2,723	Re: Don't Go Broke this Xmas We're only buying for the kids, my in-laws (I have two sets though! Aren't I lucky?) and that's it! My Mom and Dad and Sister and I all decided we would rather save the money on presents and take a trip together around Spring Break! We're thinking Florida, Gulf Coast side, little house on the beach. (hurricanes pending...) In 2001 we did this as well..but we went to Dland! It was the most fun! The best trip ever!! Hubby and I are not gifting each other this year! I just got a $2000 washer/dryer set and a $1000 frig! OH..and the $700 gas stove, $300 microwave. SO I guess that's enough! We also need to purchase furniture for the basement/TV/Family room...so I guess we'll "wrap" that up as Christmas for each other! I have however made a small list of things the "kids" can get me! Come on...I'm not totally tanking on this whole gift thing!!! I'm getting Kat a trampoline for her birthday! I really wanted it to be from the Big Man in Red..but I thought how sad it would be for my sweet hubby to be putting together a trampoline on Christmas Eve at midnight in the cold Kansas winter! So she'll get it a week early for her bday!

11-07-2005, 03:38 PM	#24
dsnylndmom Hooray for beer! MiceChat Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Still wishing I was back at the Poly Posts: 46,775 Blog Entries: 40	Re: Don't Go Broke this Xmas We don't use credit cards for Christmas either. We do the boys first, then my nephew and little brother(he's 14)and spread out from there. I try and set a decent limit and don't buy for friends, instead I give cookies & treats! We have my IL's, mom & stepdad, dad & stepmom, brother & wife, sister and then my 3 grandparents & my aunt. I try to get something little for my favorite cousin too. __________________ Delta Mu Chi Alpha ΔΜΧΑ Your hopes and wishes are your own -- you cannot ever let them be defined by others.

11-07-2005, 03:38 PM	#25
haites Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 23	Re: Don't Go Broke this Xmas I have a certain luxury since I'm fresh out of school and not really expected to buy extravagent gifts. That and I have few relatives

11-07-2005, 03:40 PM	#26
Mouse princess Just keep swimming... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: The South Shore Posts: 10,072 Blog Entries: 2	Re: Don't Go Broke this Xmas Forget about not going broke this Christmas, I'm already broke! __________________ Fratsor Sister - Delta Mu Chi Alpha ΔΜΧΑ

11-07-2005, 03:54 PM	#28
mamabot Celebratin'... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ...because I am proud of myself! Posts: 15,374 Blog Entries: 7	Re: Don't Go Broke this Xmas We are paring down our list this year, as Nathan's year-end bonus will be considerably less due to a change in policy at his work. The kids already have sooo much stuff. We still need to buy for my parents (times 4), Nathan's parents (X 3), my siblings (X4 plus BIL), Nathan's brother, a niece, two nephews, two of Nathan's friends, teachers, a present for my boss, plus gift exchange stuff for both my work (X 2) and Nathan's work. We are dropping out of the gift exchange with my dad's side of the family because money is just too tight to add another $150-200 to out budget. If I can cut corners this year I will. Although the biggest pitfall will be sticking to what we have decided to get for the kids. Plus, Nathan always seems to sneak in a few extra requests for the kids each year. __________________

11-07-2005, 03:54 PM	#29
Tinkerbelle Waiting for the stork Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in a chaotic world Posts: 15,234	Re: Don't Go Broke this Xmas well I'm trying to dig out right now...so Christmas will be different. this year I am cutting down the number of gifts and the $ per gift...no choice, we did too many big things this year. we moved, bought a car, and went to DL...there's nothing left...(oh yeah income took a hit too...ugh, self employed hurts sometimes) so this year the kids are getting things from Santa and us, we will exchange with my parents and brother, so it's not too many people... My friends and I cut eachother this year...just way to expensive. but I am definatly going quality over quantity...I even asked santa to just get the kids each one bigger thing that they will love rather than a bunch of stuff, and they will be getting something they both really want to share. (yeah we all know Santa will cave a bit at the end, but I'm trying anyway) Hubby and I probably not doing much for each other this time...oh well cest la vie, Oh I have an idea...... I'm going to have each of us plan a date night (a rare thing when you have kids) to happen within the next 2 months....very budget friendly....oh I like that! and we get 4 nights out by the end of Feb. (hey when your broke you get creative.) I wonder if he'll like that idea? for my parents and brother it's looking like DVD's, books, or music...luckily they all like that. although I'm still not sure about mom. and for the teachers (there are 7 this year!!!! at least!) I am going tto make 'Jar" gifts...I found a recipie for a tuscan bean soup (I think) that you assemble in a jar, put together a homemade seasoning packet and finish off all pretty.... Maybe package them in a pretty big soup mug or something.... I think that's it.... hopefully I can pay off some debt rather than add to it this year. oh and for the record, I am a cash holiday shopper as well...I learned my lesson one year, luckily it was on a very low limit card, but so easy to say "charge it" ouch!!! all my debt now is cost of living, no luxury __________________ procrastibating

11-07-2005, 09:42 PM	#30
Modern Folly Minion Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 4,816	Debit cards > Credit cards IMO. :] __________________

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